TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY · trinidad and tobago civil aviation authority fuel savings and emissions reduction plan for the piarco flight information region (fir)

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY

FUEL SAVINGS AND EMISSIONS

REDUCTION PLAN

FOR THE

PIARCO FLIGHT INFORMATION

REGION (FIR)

December 2012

TTCAA | FUEL SAVINGS AND EMISSIONS REDUCTION PLAN 2

1.0 Introduction

Under the ICAO Convention, the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago has

responsibility for the provision of air traffic services within the airspace above its territory.

In addition, ICAO has delegated to Trinidad and Tobago the responsibility for the

provision of Air Traffic Services within an airspace, known as, the Piarco Flight Information

Region (FIR), of some seven hundred and fifty thousand (750,000) square miles that

includes the airspace over the entire group of Eastern Caribbean islands from north of

Antigua to south of Trinidad and stretching eastward to halfway across the Atlantic. The

Trinidad and Tobago Civil Aviation Authority provides services within this FIR on behalf of

the Government of the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago (GORTT).

The GORTT through the TTCAA has taken significant operational steps over the last five

(5) years to assist the airlines traversing the Piarco FIR with new and modern air

navigation equipment, implementation of Performance Based Navigation and with Air

Traffic Control being fully procedural with the installation of a new radar. All these will

assist the airlines in their efforts to reduce fuel and emissions.

2.0 Performance Based Navigation (PBN)

Flight planning supported by PBN is utilized to reduce fuel consumption. PBN is area

navigation based on performance requirements for aircraft operating along an ATS route,

on an instrument approach procedure or in a designated airspace. It is comprised of Area

Navigation (RNAV) and Required Navigation Performance (RNP).

Table 1 refers to the PBN ENR route structure and Action Plan for the Piarco FIR for which

all airlines currently have access. The information shows data for Caribbean Airlines

Limited (CAL) and LIAT (1974) Limited in particular and reflects some of the current

destinations flown and the available RNAV routes in the Piarco FIR for these flights.


TABLE 1 - PBN Requirements

PBN Milestones within Piarco’s Airspace - En-Route Oceanic Airspace: Three (3)

established RNAV routes east of 57oW (UL435, UL695 and UL375).

En-Route Continental: Three (3) established RNAV routes west of 57oW (UL337, UL776 and

UL205).

Approaches - Established RNAV (GNSS) approaches for Piarco, ANR Robinson and Maurice

Bishop International Airports.


Example of a present RNAV route which facilitates reduced mileage and reduced fuel emissions.

Conventional - vs- RNAV Flight Paths

POS –ANU A324-A312 POS – ANU UL205

Distance from POS – ANU via the conventional route = 418nm

Distance from POS – ANU via the RNAV flight path = 398nm

DIFFERENCE = 20nm

This represents savings in time and fuel for the airlines and ultimately reducing fuel

emissions. Both Caribbean Airlines and LIAT presently utilise this route.

Example of Fuel Savings and Fuel Emission Reduction of a Caribbean Airlines Flight:

Fuel burn for the B737 is approximately 5.3 kg per nm (as given by Caribbean Airlines)


Distance from POS – ANU via conventional route (A324) = 418nm

Distance from POS – ANU via RNAV flight path (UL205) = 398nm

DIFFERENCE = 20nm

Distance from POS – MIA via conventional route (UG449…) = 1525nm

Distance from POS – MIA via RNAV flight path (UL337) = 1492nm

DIFFERENCE = 33nm

ATS

vs

RNAV

Routes

ATS Route

length nm

RNAV

Route

NM

Old Fuel

Consumption

KG

New Fuel

Consumption

KG

Fuel

Savings KG

Fuel

Savings (%)

CO2

Reduction

in KG

A324/A312

vs

UL205

418 398 2215.4 2109.4 106 5 333.9

UG449

vs

UL337

1525 1492 8082 7907.6 174.9 2 550.9

NOTE:

Caribbean Airlines indicated that the UL 337 is not frequently used. While there is a small

fuel saving, the enroute charges on this route far outweigh the fuel savings. Apart from

Piarco, San Juan and Miami airspace, CAL indicated that they also transit Maiquetia, Santa

Domingo and Haiti. These three (3) regions impose large overfly fees and as a result the UL

337 is not used often.

3.0 Statistical Data

The following information is based on statistical data collected monthly from the Piarco

FIR flight planning/billing database. By end of 2012, the data will be sourced from the

new radar system for flights through the Piarco FIR.

The available RNAV routings for Caribbean Airlines and LIAT are based on their

destinations and the number of flights according to filed flights flown for the period to

those destinations that can access these RNAV routes.


The projected reduced distances within the FIR, fuel burn, time, and therefore carbon

emissions, are based on the availability of RNAV routes.

Table 2, 3 and 4 represents data received from Caribbean Airlines operating from within

the Piarco FIR.

Table 5 represents the destinations for LIAT flights for which there are available RNAV

routes in the Piarco FIR.

Table 2 – Caribbean Airlines, 2010

Number of Caribbean Airlines flights able to access RNAV routes in the PIARCO FIR

CARIBBEAN AIRLINES FLIGHTS - 2010 for destinations where RNAV routes in the PIARCO FIR are available

ROUTE JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC TOTAL FLTS

KMIA 70 67 71 71 70 68 84 76 71 77 70 82 877

KJFK 196 233 176 172 175 171 262 257 208 205 187 222 2464

KFLL 62 56 62 59 61 61 61 57 59 64 59 62 723

KMCO 0

CYYZ 132 115 124 119 122 119 152 144 99 96 93 124 1439

TAPA 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 13 15

TNCM 0 1 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 2 0 0 4

MKJP 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 1 2

TOTAL FLTS FOR 2010= 5524

Table 3 – Caribbean Airlines, 2011




KMIA 74 65 79 70 72 70 76 75 88 78 81 86 914

KJFK 198 167 198 180 180 181 254 271 199 184 180 209 2401

KFLL 57 50 54 50 54 52 63 62 52 52 52 58 656

KMCO 17 19 2 4 42

CYYZ 115 103 113 99 95 94 151 74 92 98 92 121 1247

TAPA 37 34 38 35 38 38 34 36 26 18 16 17 367

TNCM 13 16 17 19 17 16 18 17 15 18 20 19 205

MKJP 7 4 13 18 22 25 37 22 24 28 200



Table 4 – Caribbean Airlines, 2012 (Jan – May)




KMIA 83 80 85 75 82 405

KJFK 207 195 161 177 158 898

KFLL 62 58 64 60 62 306

KMCO 2 4 4 8 8 26

CYYZ 109 104 101 107 96 517

TAPA 18 19 22 19 16 94

TNCM 15 18 18 16 7 74

MKJP 21 25 23 20 21 110


UL337 and UL205 are available to CAL for these destinations.

UL205 or POS DCT ANU is available to LIAT and is used for traffic between Trinidad and Antigua.

Table 5 – LIAT 2010 to 2012 (Jan – May)

Number of LIAT flights able to access RNAV routes in the PIARCO FIR

2010


TAPA 0 0 5 6 6 3 64 73 16 9 4 2 188

2011


TAPA 3 8 10 7 3 3 59 89 29 5 6 5 227

2012


TAPA 10 6 9 9 1 1 36


4.0 Other Operational Initiatives

Other developments and initiatives within the Piarco FIR which would lead to fuel

efficiency and reductions in fuel emissions:-

Established RNAV (GNSS) and ILS approaches available for Piarco, ANR Robinson

and Maurice Bishop International Airports. These RNP/RNAV procedures planned

are aimed at efficiency to achieve reduced CO2 emissions.

In 2010, Air Traffic Control was completely procedural. In 2011, the TTCAA

installed a new Radar which allowed for Radar services to commenced for the

northern sector of the Piarco FIR West of 55W. This has led to reduced required

spacing and reduction in CO2 emissions.

Implementation of ADS-C and CPDLC in the near future.

Reduction of the separation in the EOS to 50nm with the implementation of the

above.

Realignment of the AERO/APP airspace.

Realignment of the route structure in the long term.

On going Radar training for all Air Traffic Controllers (ATCs). Full Radar Services in

the Piarco FIR West of 57W has commenced which facilitates less restrictions and

holding resulting in reduced fuel burn and reductions in CO2 emissions.


5.0 Measures by the Major Airlines in the Piarco FIR

Caribbean Airlines Limited

Caribbean Airlines is the national airline of the State of Trinidad and Tobago. The

airline is committed to operating efficiently and environmentally-friendly and

subscribes to carbon offsetting practices. One of airline’s biggest projects to reduce

carbon emissions was investing in wing tips for its entire Boeing 737-800 fleet. That

project alone decreased its CO2 emissions by up to 3,825 tonnes in 2008.

To offset the amount of CO2 that CAL must produce, it continues to look for ways to

support projects outside of its business that reduces CO2. Basically, for every one

tonne of CO2 generated, they aim to invest in a project to save an equivalent one

tonne of CO2 through a project somewhere else such as like planting trees or

swapping kerosene in remote areas of India for ‘solar panels. Caribbean Airlines

partners with The CarbonNeutral Company® in this effort.

The airline has formulated a Fuel Management Committee which has implemented

several initiatives and which has been tasked with providing a plan for future

initiatives. These initiatives include:

Extended Range with Twin-engines aircraft Operations (ETOPS) – Caribbean Airlines has

acquired two (2) B767 aircraft which have been certified with ETOPS capability of 120

minutes. The ETOPS concept aims to settle and support the operations of twin-engine

aircraft on long distances. It allows twins on routes containing points further than 60

minutes flying time from an adequate landing airport. When required to fly over water or

deserted areas, ETOPS allows the airline more direct routes resulting in reduced fuel

usage and gas emissions.

Wind Forecasting - Winds have a significant influence on fuel consumption and it is value

to consider this meteorological effect in a fuel saving policy. The wind speed can vary with

altitudes. Wind forecasting is presently used by CAL to reduce flight times which assist the

airline in their efforts to reduce fuel burn and emissions. However, it varies based on the

weight of the aircraft. An example of this is when the aircraft flies from POS/YYZ it saves

approximately 15 minutes of flight time reducing emissions as follows:


Type of

Aircraft

Normal

time for

flight

New Time

based on

Wind

Time

Saved

Old Fuel

Consumption

Kg

New Fuel

Consumption

Kg

Fuel

Savings

Kg

Fuel

Savings

(%)

CO2

Reduction

in Kg (per

flight)

B737 POS/YYZ

5 hours

4 hrs 45

mins

15 mins 250 237.5 12.5 5 39.375

B767 POS/YYZ

5 hours

4 hrs 45

mins

15 mins 425 404.5 20.5 5 64.575

Additionally, the airline uses jet stream from POS/LGW to reduce flight times which as

well leads to reduction in fuel burn and emissions.

Cruise Performance Monitoring - In order to avoid unnecessary fuel weight, the airline

has implemented systems to ensure that flights are planned very precisely to calculate

the exact fuel quantity to be embarked.

The airline has instituted a program of polishing the aircraft when the necessary checks

are due to maintain good aerodynamics. This reduces the drag increment and improves

the aircraft performance which assists in reducing fuel and gas emissions.

Flight Management - Caribbean Airlines has minimal delays for taxing, i.e. their average

time is five (5) minutes. At other busy stations such as JFK, Flight Operations will plan

departure times to allow for periods with the least amount of traffic. This is tied into their

overall plan for reducing fuel, emissions and to decrease flight times.

In January 2012, the airline introduced Cost Index Flight Planning on its B737 fleet (cost

index 20) which all ties into contributed to fuel savings and gas emissions.

Taxing procedures at Landing – Flight Crew Operating Manual (FCOM) procedures

require not less than a defined time before shutting down the engine after landing.


Caribbean Airlines is exploring this measure at international stations with long taxi lines.

Once the runway is cleared, engine 1 will be feathered, and that once the appropriate

cooling time has expired, it will be shut down, even if the parking stand has not been

reached.

Departures - Caribbean Airlines presently use reduced thrust take-off which is cost

savings through increased engine life and which reduces overhaul costs as well as include

fuel savings. It may also be possible to increase the maximum take-off weight for a

specific runway by using a reduced thrust profile.

Fuel Reserves - In order to avoid unnecessary fuel weight, the airline plans its flights

precisely to calculate the exact fuel quantity to be embarked. This is based on the aircraft

performance monitoring by taking into account performance factors derived from specific

range variations.

The fuel reserves will be based on a policy that aims at obtaining the minimum values

required within the regulations, a fuel saving can be especially achieved on the

contingency of fuel reserves.

Caribbean Airlines plans and chooses alternate airports that are as near as possible to the

destination. These are dependent on the meteorological conditions and the suitability of

the airport. The airline uses a minimum holding fuel of ten (10) minutes for destinations

in the Caribbean and twenty (20) minutes for airports in the USA.

Weight Management – The airline is making efforts to reduce weight by taking on board

less manuals and lighter catering equipment. This was implemented in 2011 and

continues to date.

Investments: Wing Tips, New Fleet – The airline has invested in wing tips for its fleet and

has also upgraded its fleet from Dash 8s to new ATRs which are more fuel efficient.


Performance Incentives for pilots are tied into the airline’s Fuel Management Plan.

Incentives such as bonuses are paid if the actual fuel burn for the year is reduced by 2%.

LIAT (1974) LIMITED

LIAT is one of the leading Caribbean airlines. It is owned by regional shareholders,

with major shareholders being the Governments of Barbados, Antigua & Barbuda and

St. Vincent & the Grenadines.

The airline operates a Dash 8 fleet of aircraft within the Caribbean and the Piarco FIR.

LIAT is presently formulating a plan through its Fuel Management Committee to

assist the airline in its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. LIAT operated

46,540 flights in 2010 and 43,163 flights in 2011.

In 2011 LIAT’s total flight were reduced by 3377 which accounted for reduction in

fuel consumption. Steady increase in fuel cost in 2011 represents a 24% increase on

its total fuel cost (12,431,592) and its fuel index for 2012 stands at $4.08.

Total fuel consumption:

Comparison of Fuel Savings for Liat (1974) Limited using 2010 as baseline

Type of

Aircraft

Old Fuel

Consumption (Kg)

in 2010 (Baseline)

New Fuel

Consumption (Kg)

in 2011

Fuel Savings

(Kg) 2011

Fuel

Savings

(%)

CO2 Reduction

(Kg) in 2011

Dash 8 28,452,059.80 24,289,954.10 4,162,105.7 15 13,110,632.96


Projections - In 2012, Liat projected a 3% saving on fuel as a result of implementation of

reduced power, take-off and landing. Liat now uses a lower RPM of 900 for landing as

opposed to their normal full throttle 1200 RPM resulting in 150,000 pounds of fuel

saved per flight.

The airline have identified three (3) major advantages of reduce power, take-off and

landing.

i. Lower maintenance cost

ii. Lower fuel consumption

iii. Comfortable cabins for passengers

The airline is committed to reducing its fuel consumption by 3% in the last quarter of

2012, by reviewing operating and maintenance procedures and policies. The plans and

policies are in the discussion stage.

LIAT has projected a 3% saving in 2013 of 8.85Mt of fuel based on existing measures and

new measures to be implemented.

Measures

1. In July 2012, LIAT received approval from the respective Governments to

renegotiate its fleet to replace the existing DASH 8s with more fuel efficient ATRs.

2. LIAT uses an Automated Flight Information Reporting System (AFIRS) which is an on

board satellite based aircraft management system that automatically reports critical

flight data to ground based operations. This allows LIAT to monitor whether pilots

exceed parameters which ultimately leads to greater fuel burn.

3. LIAT recently implemented an Airframe Maintenance Programme to reduce drag

and increase efficiency.

4. To reduce cost, LIAT will be conducting more intersection departures.


6.0 Regulatory Measures by the State

The GORTT is committed to reducing aviation greenhouse gas emissions and will make

policies, standards and procedures in the form of Regulations that will supplement or

support efforts on technology, operations and fuel to achieve the carbon neutral growth

goal. These Regulations will also support ICAO Annex 16 on Environmental Protection.

The Regulations will also require airlines to have transparent carbon reporting systems in

place as well as to ensure that the data is collected and submitted to the Reuglator.

7.0 Assistance Required

The GORTT is challenged with airlines in the Piarco FIR not keeping accurate data of

fuel consumption. Assistance will be required to guide or direct the airlines in what

types of software are available for collecting fuel data and transforming this data into

the format required by ICAO.

Training seminars and awareness programmes are needed in the region on the

importance of fuel management for all stakeholders i.e. airlines, ground handlers,

fuel companies. Each individual must understand how they can make an impact on

the environment while carrying out their responsibilities.

Presently, the airlines do not have a plan to use alternative fuels. In this regard,

assistance will be needed to develop a plan to assist the airlines in exploring the use

of alternative fuels.

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TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO CIVIL AVIATION AUTHORITY · trinidad and tobago civil aviation authority fuel savings and emissions reduction plan for the piarco flight information region (fir)